Trains, parks and penguins in St Kilda

Friday 26 September
Mornings are very slow in St Kilda! It seems that the fun things, bookshops, playgrounds etc don't open until 10 or 11 am so there is lots of time to sleep in (till 6:30 am!) and take our time getting ready.

Today's adventure was to take a train trip and work out how the Myki cards work on the trains. That seems to be more like Sydney.

We travelled one station north to Windsor station. It is a lovely old station with impressive brick buildings.

 Then we walked north along Chapel St but unfortunately the places we wanted to go were closed so we doubled back later stopping for coffee at Churro's where we had some delicious chocolate experiences. Then back to the comic shop and another book shop with beautiful papers and related products.

Next we went back north to Chapel St Bazzar full of antiques and collectables. We all loved just wandering for quite a while and the boys even found some... Thomas engines and a Buzz Lightyear.

A walk along Greville St took us past a US Milk Bar where Ellen found her favourite mints.

We caught the train from Prahran south to North Brighton where we visited a model train shop. Luke was so sure he saw the train they had caught in the USA. This required a photo and phone call to check with Rod - Luke was right.

Back on the train to home for a quick sandwich for lunch. Ellen and the boys then caught the tram down to Luna Park to meet her friend Mel and family for the afternoon. I did the food shopping and browsed a bit before returning home.

Cath, Foti and Alexandra called in for a cuppa and chat then we all left in time for me to catch the tram down to Luna Park.

We walked to the pier and out to the breakwater to watch the penguins at dusk. Luckily we were able to see a few at the mouths of their burrows before the boys started to fall asleep.

Back home on the tram for a very late dinner and bed. Wow! What a walking day - nearly 18000 steps.

Saturday 27 September
We started out on our adventure walk this morning but just after we crossed the main road we came to a hairdresser that looked quite empty so Ellen had the boy's hair cut. They look great. The young lady that did them was Vicky at Val's International Hair Salon.

We then continued on our way north along Westbury to Alma St Park, another great kid's playground.

We spent some time there then walked south along Chapel, some shopping on Carlisle and on to Dickens and west to St Kilda Botanic Gardens again. There we played in the playground for a while then found the giant chess set where we had arranged to meet Surrey's cousin Pam and husband Ross.

Pam and Ross brought a delicious picnic lunch so we enjoyed a few hours together catching up on family news and retirement activities. We had not seen one another for perhaps 20 years or so and then only at a similar family gathering.

After our time in the gardens we said our goodbyes and returned home by tram stopping for another frozen yoghurt on the way. Home then to shoes off and a Smurf movie.

Sunday 28 September
We woke to an awful wind and even my antihistamine tablet has not stopped the hayfever completely.

First outing today was to St Kilda markets which were so blown out that we decided to catch the tram into the city and visit the Queen Victoria markets. I bought a new wallet that fits a few more cards and holds them tighter. It might also fit in my vest pocket. On the way back we made a stop at Luna Park for the boys to have another go at the Motorbike game - they even won an extra 4 free games.

Back home for lunch of all our left overs from the fridge ready for going home tomorrow. Then our last visit to Cath and tiny Alexandra. We skyped Gram and Desley while we were there which was fun.

Back home for our dinner and we've decided that because the wind is so horrible still we would just have Yo Chi for dinner and toast if we want more.

Visiting grand niece Alexandra

Wednesday 24 September
After a very early start to the day I met Ellen, Alex and Luke at the airport at about 5:45am. Unfortunately our flight was then delayed due to some cleaning issue.

We had a reasonable flight to Melbourne-Avalon airport then Ellen had arranged a private limo transfer right to our apartment. What a great apartment - Esspresso Apartments in Westbury Close, just a block from Cath and Foti's home.

Our first task was to do some grocery shopping and find some lunch. We found a great cafe - Capitan Fracassa - and all enjoyed our early lunch while playing chess.

Back home to deliver food then off to visit Cath and tiny Alexandra (6 weeks old). The boys provided entertainment for some time but she eventually threw a wobbly then Cath settled her off to sleep.

I think she looks like my Dad. 

Foti arrived home and so we had a catch up chat but we had all had such a long day we headed home and spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV to chill out and wind down.

Spag bol for dinner and a very early night for us all.

Thursday 25 September
Up by 6am and eventually set out on our adventure morning. First a tram to the waterfront at St Kilda then a walk north along The Esplanade, south along Ackland St and there found a cake shop for our morning tea.

We visited a great bookshop where the boys spent some of their money. We eventually found the St Kilda Botanical Gardens and enjoyed a bit of a walk there.

We then walked north again to the St Kilda Adventure Playground which was worth the long walk. It was a really adventurous park with tree house, real trees to climb, a billy cart run, flying fox, fort, in-ground trampoline with its own timing and turns system. Everything was a test for the boys and all ages were catered for. In all a great experience.

A short walk returned us back to the tram stop and we then had lunch at Capitan Fracassa's again.

Back home to regroup and then we took the shortcut walk to Cath's. She is such a patient mum, spending a lot of time on the exercise ball "rocking" Alexandra to sleep.

Foti came home while we were there and later Foti's parents arrived for a visit.

Back home then to chill out for the evening and to sort out what to do with our Myki Travel Cards.

Spring has sprung

My last week has been very hectic!

First there was a trip to Berry to see Rauri and Janice. The bonus was the Berry Spring Garden Festival and I saw most of the gardens on show.

Then it was back for the service at St Stephens followed by Hymnfest. This was basically an 8-hour day of singing! I was exhausted when I eventually arrived home. Monday included another 3 hours of singing so by then I was quite sung out.

Tuesday was Grandfriends Day at Alex and Luke's school. What a day! There were performances in the morning at Engadine followed by open classrooms back at school then more performances. I tried very hard to get photos of the boys singing and dancing and playing recorder but my camera is not good at that. So here are a few reminders for me.

Another project I have started at home are my scrapbooks. Last Thursday Kim and I started by pulling them all out of the cupboard they were crammed into. I did a quick count and there are almost 100 scrapbooks. We labelled the organised ones so I can read the label easily without getting them out and have put those ones back in the cupboard.

They look so neat and tidy! But that is all a lie. There are still many on the lounge room floor that are either falling apart, not in chronological order or just have pages to be completed with loose photos and papers that were falling out.

However, the thing that keeps me sane is being able to sit at my back window and see a lovely garden in full spring bloom. I have plans for that tree and the ramp so it should not look quite so bare in that area soon. I hope the plans are complete by summer.

Now I just have to allocate time to complete all my "projects half done" (PhDs).

Great Music in a Fabulous Setting

If you would like to come to listen to great music our choir is hosting Hymnfest at St Stephens in Macquarie Street. Click on the flier below to see the details.

Brisbane with family and farewell Qld

Monday 25 August

We both slept in this morning then slowly pottered around with collecting mail and picking fruit and tomatoes and other bits and pieces. We were invited to neighbours Margaret and Brian to share a cuppa and catch up on local news.

Richard and Jan arrived with our order of dried mango – Kilcoy Gold. It is absolutely delicious! We had a bit of a chat about drying fruit and various options.

At afternoon tea time cousin Barbara arrived so after a cuppa and a chat I said my farewells to Kathy and headed to Brisbane with Barbara. We had a brief stop to buy fruit and vegetables at a roadside stall then made a short detour to Caboolture where we met up with Rachel for a quick catch up cuppa before heading home.

We arrived at The Gap at dinner time and enjoyed a pleasant evening before quite a late night for me.

Tuesday 26 August

This morning I booked my flight home for Friday. I am hoping this will fit in with the various plans that are floating around.

Once Barbara and I had breakfast we headed off to a few craft shops and to do some grocery shopping.

Home again for a late lunch then a walk down to the path along the local creek. There were brush turkeys, water dragons and black ducks.

Back home again to have a sit down and get ready to head to Toowong for dinner out. We met Geoff at Toowong. He is up here for one night for work so I've given him one of my bags to take home. I do hope it all goes through OK.

Wednesday 27 August

After breakfast and a bit of clearing Barbara and I went for a different walk along Itheca Creek. It was a walk that Barbara had not done before and was very pleasant through parkland and regenerated creek verges. There were some magnificent old trees.

We tried to have coffee at the bowls club but as it was full of mums and bubs we drove back towards home to a very pleasant, shady coffee shop.

Back home to start chopping veges and fruit in preparation for dinner here with Julian, Tracy, Jacob and Noah. We also spent time looking through the photos and blog from my trip up north.

It was great to catch up with Julian's family over dinner. Two boys with hollow legs really enjoyed their grandma's baked dinner.

After dinner Barbara showed me some of her photos from her trip to England. A very late night for me.

Thursday 28 August

Barbara left for work at about 8:30am leaving me at home to spend a long time on my ablutions before I got to work learning some music for the coming Hymnfest at St Stephens. I also packed, washed up and basically just chilled out.

Tonight I'll stay with Aunty Dot and Uncle Des then fly home tomorrow.

What a wonderful trip it has been. Thank you to all who made it possible.

Friends and Family

Wednesday 20 August

Before we left our cabin we decided to take a walk to the beach. This proved to be a pleasant walk across the headland then over the dune system. Then we came out to a very long beach with some lovely piles of shells.

Once our steps were well on the way we drove out and continued south again. At Maryborough we missed the Tin Can Bay road ending up back on the highway. At Gympie we then turned east arriving at Helen's in Tin Can Bay around mid-afternoon.

It was great to see Helen again. She is living in a beautiful house. After a cuppa we had a lovely walk along the marina then around the bay.

Back home for chats and dinner then after some TV I collapsed into bed.

Thursday 21 August

Our first job today was a large load of washing. Then it was a day for doing our own thing. Kathy went out for the day with her friend Barry who lives in Caloola Cove. Helen and I went for a long walk to Crab Creek and back. We saw a whistling kite and nest and lots of other birds. It is a pleasant well-used path. On the way back we called in at the shopping centre and I actually bought some fabric at the craft shop.

Back at home we had a quiet day of talking patchwork and swapping ideas and inspirations. One thing new to me was 'waste canvas' for doing cross stitch on plain fabric.

Luckily I got the washing in by lunch time as the weather closed in during the afternoon and by the time Kathy and Barry arrived home it had started to drizzle.

We all went to the pub just across the road for a delicious dinner then called it a night after another chat.

Friday 22 August

It rained all night and was still raining when we got up at about 6am.

The weather cleared just a little for us to pack the car so we decided to take our chances and go down in Helen's car to watch the dolphin feeding at the boat ramp.

As it was still raining we went straight home to have a coffee to warm up then left Helen, doing some shopping before we left Tin Can Bay at about 9:30am.

We headed to Neusavale about an hour away to visit Surrey's cousin Sally and husband John. The rain was really set in! We arrived mid morning and after lunch had a quick tour of the farm in the rain – cattle, sheep, dogs (Harvey, Ishtah, and Moglie), chooks, geese, donkeys, a miniture pony and fruit trees and kangaroos.

It was great to catch up again and find out about the family and all the granchildren.

Rain, rain, rain accompanied our wonderful fish dinner but soon after I was ready for bed. I do hope we are not flooded in. It does tend to happen around Gympie.

Saturday 23 August

Rain, rain, rain – 30mm overnight.

Today we decided to all drive to Noosa to see the sea and the Noosa house.

John drove us all and it teamed. We went down via a lot of “scenic routes” but could not see a lot with the low cloud and heavy rain.

Back for lunch then spent a while discussing shed construction.

Dinner was pizza cooked in John's special galley. It was like going to Underhill without the two hour drive down then back again. It was wonderful.

Once we had returned to the house Sally, Kathy and I played Take Two before bed. In all a wonderful day despite all the rain.

Sunday 24 August

It was fine when we got up this morning so after breakfast we said our goodbyes to Sally and John and headed for Yandina.

We arrived at Nutworks just as they were opening and, at last, I was able to buy some Macadamia chips (pieces). I'd been looking for them for years. Then we went over to the Ginger Factory and I found factory seconds of ginger pieces for jam making.

We enjoyed a bit of a wander there and had morning tea before heading on the Maleny. A quick stop in the rain for milk and other supplies then on to Kilcoy, where it is fine, in time for lunch.

The afternoon was spent unloading, sorting, washing then repacking my things to see if they fit.

Overall our North Queensland holiday of 32 days cost us less than $5000 total and took us 5700km from Kilcoy to Kilcoy.